Connector Mounting Portion Material Selection for Thermal Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connectors used in automatic transmissions face reduced waterproofing performance over time due to thermal expansion, which compromises the sealing effectiveness between the second mounting portion and the sealing member, especially in heated environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of different materials for the first and second mounting portions, where the second material has higher adhesion to the sealing member in a heated environment, ensuring the second mounting portion adheres to the sealing member even when thermally expanded, thus maintaining waterproof performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single material is used for both mounting portions, then manufacturing is simplified, but waterproof performance deteriorates in heated environments due to thermal expansion separating the sealing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial selection simplicityVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing is divided into two mounting portions (first and second mounting portions) that are formed from different resin materials. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific functional requirements: one for heat resistance and oil resistance, and the other for adhesion to the sealing member in heated environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different resin materials are assigned to different mounting portions based on their local environmental requirements. The first mounting portion uses a material optimized for heat and oil resistance, while the second mounting portion uses a material with superior adhesion properties to the sealing member when heated, creating local quality optimization throughout the connector housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the sealing member is made resilient to provide sealing force, then waterproofing is improved, but thermal expansion of the mounting portion reduces adhesion to the sealing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing capabilityVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesion parameter between the mounting portion and sealing member is optimized by selecting a resin material specifically for the second mounting portion that maintains high adhesion strength to the sealing member even when both are in a heated environment. This parameter change ensures the mounting portion remains firmly attached to the resilient sealing member despite thermal expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If heat resistance is prioritized for the first mounting portion, then oil resistance is improved, but the second mounting portion may lack sufficient adhesion to the sealing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistance and oil resistanceVSAvoidadhesion to sealing member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing is segmented into two mounting portions with different resin materials, allowing the first mounting portion to be optimized for heat and oil resistance while the second mounting portion is optimized for adhesion to the sealing member in heated environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each mounting portion is assigned a resin material with properties optimized for its local functional requirements: the first mounting portion receives a material with superior heat and oil resistance, while the second mounting portion receives a material with superior adhesion properties to the sealing member when heated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach maintains the required waterproof performance for the second mounting portion over a long period while maintaining heat resistance for the first mounting portion, ensuring continuous sealing effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the second material has higher adhesion than the first material to the sealing member when kept in contact with the sealing member in a heating environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

each part of the connector thermally expands when the connector is exposed to a high-temperature environment. Thus, the tubular second mounting portion becomes larger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10707609B2Connector

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector (1) includes connector terminals (2), an insertion portion (3) having the connector terminals (2) inserted therethrough, a first mounting portion 4A formed on a first side of the insertion portion (3), and a second mounting portion (4B) formed on a second side of the insertion portion (3). The second mounting portion (4B) is mounted on an outer periphery of a second female connector (5B) via a sealing member (41) for waterproofing. A first material constituting the first mounting portion (4A) and a second material constituting the second mounting portion (B) are different materials. The second material has higher adhesion to the sealing member (41) than the first material when being kept in contact with the sealing member (41) in a heated environment.